Money influences everything sadly. We faltered under Jane's lack of vision and bending the knee to anything that was deemed un-PC. A lot of people did not stick through her tenure as supporters of the university, much less athletics. But, that has to be conquered one way or the other.

Regarding someone who posted SM got lucky, 15 hits isn't luck. They put the bat on the ball. The hit to tie it up, they had played small ball to move him over. UCLA was playing a stupid over the top shift based on the batter. They had the 1st baseman playing on the grass almost as a 2nd baseman. Any grounder to the right side was going to be super awkward. It was off their ace who came in to shut it down on short rest. Same for the extra innings hit that ended up being the winning base runner, he made contact, the pitcher tipped it unable to make a play, and the 2nd baseman also couldn't adjust and make a play, good on them. Then they hit a ball hard by the 3rd baseman, with the left fielder playing fairly deep there was no play at home, another helpful choice, but SM took advantage.

Saint Mary's isn't a great team, but a 140 RPI team that makes contact, has timely power, and plays D got it done.